You have to kind fo agree with the idea. So many times the 4 upper teams always got to play the weaker lower teams. It would be nice to see Team 1 to have to play team 4 in the prelims. Team 2 would have to play 3. Last year they were all pretty much guaranteed an extra win in the prelims.

It does kill me that such major changes are made so close to the start of the season.

I've already talked to one team I am close with and this may change what they choose to do for the PSP this year.

It's hard to see how the Challengers division won't be seen like the Semi Pro or D1 of years past, but the one saving grace may be the chance that top teams screw up and go down, and the lower level teams have a good event and go up. This may lift the value of teams that are otherwise stuck in the Challengers Division.

Certainly in the past teams in D1 haven't been given the same respect or sponsorship as teams in Pro.

So does this mean there will really only be 10 "Pro teams" with a few bumping up and down regularly, or will we believe there are 10-20 with the others all being able to compete?

I really didn't like this at first, but one thing for sure it's definitely going to be interesting.

Heck, say even if you have the top 10, the true top ten, in the Champions event. Two of them will be going down... and that will give a chance for up and coming teams to play them and get time at the right format and against the best teams to see what they can do.

That may mean that this is the best way ever for teams to make the transition from D1 to Pro. Currently I hate the fact that D1 plays a different game and format to the Pro's. It makes the step up harder for no real reason.

Definitely interesting.

Oh and as for the Axe's. I always say you have to shoot one. For some they may still move on, for others that may get them hooked. It's always a pleasure to hear how people have often felt they couldn't compete in tournaments without a $1200+ gun until they used an Axe.

I know many parents and players a ike that have played tournaments (either starting out) or staying in, because the Axe made it more affordable for them to do so. That is "mission" accomplished in my book. Although there is always another mission on the horizon.